WAIKOLOA, Hawaii - Matt Seramin played an eight-hole stretch of his second round four shots under par on Thursday, sparking his 2-under 70 and helping the UC Davis men's golf team move up into a tie for 16th place at the Amer Ari Invitational on the Big Island.

UC Davis posted a seven-shot improvement from Wednesday's opening round, firing a 3-over 291 to improve two places into a tie for 16th place with Osaka Gakuin University of Japan at 13-over 589.

Seramin's round put him a tie for 65th place at 3-over 147 alongside teammate Tyler Raber who had a 74 on Thursday. Matt Hansen is tied for 45th at 1 over after shooting 74, Jonny Baxter is tied for 89th at 6 over after firing a 73, and Ben Corfee finished with a 77 and is in 112th place at 13 over.

Seventh-ranked Washington posted a 13-under 275 team total on Thursday, vaulting into a two-shot lead over No. 4 UCLA. The Huskies are at 21 under 555 overall. Ninth-ranked USC (564) and Georgia Tech (283) are also among the contenders.

Sermain's score was seven shots better than his 77 on Wednesday. He got to his 70 after blitzing the back nine at the Kings' Course. He started on the course's ninth hole and was 1 over after three holes. But birdies on the 12th and 14th holes, and a masterful eagle on the par-5 18th pushed him three shots in the red. He played his final nine holes just a shot over par.

Hansen opened his tournament with a 71 and had a pair of birdies to help spark his round on Thursday. Baxter picked up four birdies, Corfee had four as well, and Raber finished with two for the Aggies.

Cody Gribble of Texas shot 68 and Pontus Widegren of UCLA had a 69 as the pair moved into a tie for first place at 7 under. They lead six players by one stroke.

Teams will play a final shotgun round on Friday beginning at 9:30 a.m. (PST). UC Davis will play with Texas Tech, San Jose State and Colorado.